EDINA, Mo. - Less than 24 hours after being held without a hit, Scotland County found the response head coach Abi Haire wanted to see.
The Lady Tigers collected eight hits, pressured Knox County’s defense throughout the evening and received a complete-game performance from MaKenna Musgrove to defeat the Lady Eagles 8-1 Tuesday at Knox County High School.
Musgrove allowed four hits and one unearned run over seven innings, walking three and striking out three as Scotland County improved to 4-3 overall and 1-1 in the Lewis and Clark Conference. The sophomore also helped lead the offense with three hits and two runs scored.
“Exactly how I wanted it to,” Haire said of her team’s response following Monday’s loss at Putnam County. “We’ve been struggling to put the gloves and the bats together, and I thought we did a really good job of that tonight.”
Knox County fell to 2-5 overall and 0-2 in conference play. Kodie Lay worked all seven innings for the Lady Eagles, allowing eight hits and eight runs, but only one was earned as seven Knox County errors repeatedly extended innings.
Scotland County took the lead on the first pitch of the game. Musgrove lifted a ball into left-center field, where the strong wind carried it away from the defense and allowed it to fall for a leadoff single.
Musgrove moved to second when Maty Buford walked and scored after Elle Hamlin singled through the middle. An error in center field allowed Musgrove to continue around third and cross the plate for a 1-0 advantage.
Knox County placed its leadoff batter aboard when Melayna Miller drew a four-pitch walk during the bottom of the first. Miller stole second, but Scotland County catcher Lexi Webber recovered a pitch near the plate and threw her out attempting to advance to third.
Musgrove followed with a strikeout of Lay before an error allowed Brynn Schwieter to reach. Hamlin then fielded Chloe Donahoo’s ground ball at third, and Buford dug the throw out of the dirt to end the inning.
The Lady Tigers used Knox County’s defensive difficulties to score three times during the second. Ali Ward reached second following an error, moved to third on Hilary Hamm’s groundout and scored when Webber lined an RBI single into left field.
Webber then took second on an errant throw before Musgrove placed a bunt down the third-base line. Another throwing error allowed Musgrove to reach and Webber to race home from second.
Allie Elenbaas followed with a single, and Buford brought Musgrove home on a ground ball to second, extending Scotland County’s advantage to 4-0.
Knox County attempted to answer during the bottom half of the inning. Lillie Penn singled and stole second before Jaiden Talbot was hit by a pitch, placing two runners aboard with one out.
Ailea Hayes prevented the Lady Eagles from cutting into the deficit when she ranged to her left at shortstop, made a diving stop and threw Isobele Hudson out at first. Musgrove escaped the inning without allowing a run.
Knox County finally broke through during the third. Miller reached on an infield single, stole second and scored when Schwieter’s ground ball was misplayed, trimming the Scotland County lead to 4-1.
The Lady Tigers immediately reclaimed the momentum in the fourth. Elenbaas drove a two-out double into the outfield for the game’s first extra-base hit, advanced to third and scored on a wild pitch.
Knox County threatened again in the bottom of the inning when Talbot walked and Makennah Peavler singled. Adison Strong then popped a bunt attempt back toward Musgrove, who made the catch and doubled Peavler off first to end the inning.
Scotland County added two more runs during the fifth. Kenzington Miller and Hayes opened the inning with consecutive singles before Miller scored on a wild pitch. Hayes later came home on Webber’s groundout, increasing the lead to 7-1.
The Lady Eagles put two runners aboard with two outs during the bottom half. Schwieter doubled and Karly Parrish was hit by a pitch, but Musgrove induced a fly ball to escape the inning.
Elenbaas collected her second hit to begin the sixth and eventually scored Scotland County’s final run when Miller’s ground ball resulted in another Knox County throwing error.
Musgrove retired the Lady Eagles in order during the bottom of the sixth and returned to the circle with a seven-run advantage for the final inning.
Miller was hit by a pitch with one out in the seventh, and Schwieter drew a two-out walk to keep Knox County alive. Parrish then grounded to Elenbaas at second, who threw to Buford for the final out.
Scotland County’s defense committed two errors but repeatedly handled pressure with runners aboard. Knox County stranded nine runners, while Musgrove did not allow an earned run.
“We were in a lot of situations where there were multiple runners on base, and we only gave up one run,” Haire said. “That’s really good for us to handle that pressure and play defense the way we did, and also hit the way we did.”
Webber finished with two hits and two RBIs for Scotland County, while Elenbaas went 2-for-4 with a double and two runs scored. Miller, Hayes and Hamlin each added a hit.
Schwieter led Knox County with a double and a walk. Melayna Miller reached base three times and scored the Lady Eagles’ lone run, while Penn and Peavler each singled.
Scotland County will return to action Saturday at the North Shelby Tournament. Knox County travels to Schuyler County for another conference matchup Thursday before also competing in Saturday’s tournament.
(This game recap is presented based upon the coverage of the Hometown Radio Sports Network. Any statistics given should be deemed as unofficial.)
